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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

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Original poster

wwyd. Disney florida or paris

29 replies

pud1 · 28/07/2013 22:05

I have been looking into Florida Disney for next year's holiday. It would be a one time only holiday and we would like to stay in Disney. But I am wondering if dds are too young. They will be 4 and 5.
After talking g to a friend about it today she suggested going to Euro Disney for 5 days and doing a premium package( dinner with Cinderella....). This would mean that we would also be able to afford another beach type holiday.
I think that places like epcot would be wasted on dds at the moment so it might be best to shelve Florida plans for a few years.
I font want to spend a lot of money going to Florida if we are not going to make the most of it. I know we have the option of a villa in Florida and saving some money but I would rather stay in Disney.

is Euro Disney just a crappy alternative. Please share opinions

OP posts:

holidaybug · 28/07/2013 22:14

I haven't been to Euro Disney but have been to Florida a number of times, first time when DS was 3. It is amazing and I don't think they are too young at all. I think they get something different out of Disney at whatever age. DS loved the characters when he was small - he has just turned 6 now and sees them as people dressed up. I'm glad we took him when he still believed. Now he loves the water parks and the rides. I was very surprised that he loved Epcot this time around and wanted to see all the countries. As I say, he has only just turned 6.

If you are going for the big trip, I wouldn't waste my time with Euro Disney. I haven't been but I'm very sceptical that Euro Disney can offer what is on offer at Florida. It is truly magical and you will see and experience things that will bring tears to your eyes.

I wouldn't believe the hype either that you have to stay on a Disney property. The only real advantage is if you don't plan to drive over there. There are some great places just outside of the parks, much less expensive and you could have a big 2-bed suite.

petitdonkey · 28/07/2013 22:21

I have been to both and honestly prefer Euro Disney. We will take the children to Florida when they are older but more for Universal, Epcot, Cape Canaveral etc. Euro Disney is very well laid out, not as sprawling but the magic is most definitely still there. Particularly if your children have never been to either, they will just take it at face value for the first time.

We took ours when they were 5, 3 and 18months and it was perfect but they were shattered after three days. If I had your choice I would do all out EuroDisney and a beach holiday too.

holidaybug · 28/07/2013 22:23

Perhaps have a look on Tripadvisor - there'll be lots of reviews on there from people who have been to both - might give you an insight.

Floralnomad · 28/07/2013 22:26

I've been to both and I love Disneyland Paris , in Florida I like Epcot but the rest I could happily give a miss . Florida does have other attractions though but for a Disney experience Paris is great . We've been every year at least once a year since it opened so I only need a day now to do the bits I really like !

Original poster

pud1 · 28/07/2013 22:27

I know that they would love Florida but at there age they will not get the full experience. We would not be able to afford to take them again so Florida will defiantly be a one off. I am coming round to the idea of doing Florida when they are older and testing out Euro Disney first

OP posts:

PoppyWearer · 28/07/2013 22:29

At that age I would say Paris. No long flights or airports to negotiate.

Whereas you could still do Florida with them as teenagers (plenty of time to save up!) and they would still have lots to see/do, and would hopefully appreciate and remember more of it.

CockBollocks · 28/07/2013 22:33

Paris definitely, then Florida later. My two have done both.

Your children would love it but a lot of the rides Are better suited to around 7 years old and over. My dd was 4 when we went and she couldn't get on quite a lot.

Growlithe · 28/07/2013 22:34

I used to love Disneyland Paris, but having been to Florida this year it doesn't come close I'm afraid. My youngest was 4 when we went to Florida and got loads from it.

In America, the staff and especially the characters seem to genuinely want your children to have a great time. Character meals are easier to book, and meeting the characters in general is a lot easier, especially the Princesses.

We stayed in a Disney Hotel, and got a Disney dining plan. The one we went for got you a self service meal, a sit down meal and a snack each day. This makes it easier to budget for eating and you can book character meals as your sit down meal.

We've already booked again for next year.

BaronessTeapot · 28/07/2013 22:35

I've been to both and agree with others that, for the age of your DC, they might enjoy Paris more.

The heat in Florida is extremely tiring which can make little ones grumpy if they don't get to rest. There is more than enough to do for a week in eurodisney and you could go to Florida when they are older and will enjoy Epcot & Universal.

ektorp · 28/07/2013 22:39

I've been to both, and 5 days at Disneyland Paris would be perfect at that age, we did that length of stay last year with DD then 5, and the princess meal, it was a wonderful trip and she talks about it constantly. The park is absolutely beautiful.

If Florida is a one off, I would definitely leave it a few years. Yes, they would love it now, but they will love it even more at 9 or 10, or any age beyond.

I loved Florida when I went with my older DC, and will definitely go back, it's amazing, but I don't understand the real aggression you often hear about DLP from Florida goers, they really put it down, and then usually they've never been anyway. It's as though they have to justify the money they are spending by telling everyone within earshot that DLP is a load of crap. Not that they've been, of course, but it probably is. Yeah.

I can honestly say that DLP is utterly magical, it's not on the huge scale of Florida, but that's fine. Florida can come later.

CockBollocks · 28/07/2013 22:44

That's the other thing, the heat! Also I think my dd found it really overwhelming and some days asked to go back to the hotel to chill!!

holidaybug · 28/07/2013 22:47

When you've been to Florida, you don't feel the need to go to Disneyland Paris. Can't see how it could possibly compare.

Floralnomad · 28/07/2013 23:09

holidaybug ,well I'm just one person who disagrees with you ,I've done Florida Disney 3x and Paris well over 20 times ,I know which I prefer !

BlissfullyIgnorant · 28/07/2013 23:24

We've been to DLP many times and have just been to Florida. The cast members are much more warm and genuine than Paris but I find Paris better for younger ones as the parks are more compact. Cast members have also shared their thoughts that Paris is highly desirable because the theming is better and many of the rides are better too. My DCs are early-mid teens so are right for the flying times and its before major school events begin (DS starting gcse/Gove level courses this year)
At their ages, you might find yourself pushing one if the hire buggies rather a lot so think about your own walking

Food portions are absolutely bloody enormous and you might find yourself overeating. Drinks have free refills which just makes it worse.

Oh - and one more thing...we had thunderstorms every day in Florida and rides close if there's lightning within 5 miles of the attractions. Pools also close so you can't swim during storms either.

For more specific advice, check out some of the many Disney guest fora on the Internet.
Have fun!

Floralnomad · 28/07/2013 23:30

Can I also just disagree about the cast members being better in the US , they're not its just that the queues to see them are better marshalled . My DD was in a wheelchair on one of our visits to Paris and the 'characters ' couldn't have been more accommodating , particularly the Green Army Men from Toy Story who went well over the top so that we could have a photo with them .

revealall · 28/07/2013 23:56

Florida is a proper holiday. Big rides, proper weather, nice places to stay.

Euro Disney is only Disney but French. You can do it in 2/3 days and come home happy.

I'd say do EuroDisney now (but 5 days is way too long to waste on the commercial pap) and see if they like it . Go to Florida when they are 9 or 10 and can remember it all.

BeaWheesht · 29/07/2013 00:01

We were in disneyland paris this year with ds (6) and dd (2.9). They absolutely loved it and in your position I'd go there and wait for Florida for a few years.

Disneyland Paris is still pretty damn expensive IMO btw. We stayed at the Newport Bay hotel which was lovely and had a great pool too but if you didn't want a pool and could afford it stay in the disneyland hotel and then you are right at the heart of it.

I'd highly recommended it, we went for 4 nights 5 days and didn't see everything though we did manage to see most but dd being quite young still restricted us a wee bit.

RedPT · 29/07/2013 00:18

I'm going to Disneyland Hong Kong in a couple of weeks - works out cheaper than Florida.

Kaekae · 29/07/2013 00:23

I've been to both with my children plus the one in California and Disneyland Paris does not come close to the ones in America. I would 100% choose Florida over Disneyland Paris. DLP is no way near as magical but if you haven't to been to the ones in America before then you will not notice. The cast members are better in America by far, so I disagree with the above comment. My favourite is the one in California because I felt the temperature was much cooler than Florida and everyone just seems so happy everywhere! Plus I loved seeing all the sites outside of the park. When I went to DLP I stayed at Newport Bay Hotel, although a little dated it was fine.

holidaybug · 29/07/2013 07:47

If you do want to do Disney Florida at some stage, I wouldn't leave it too late as Disney really is for younger kids. Yes, you would have Universal etc but again, universal is not magical. It is about rides, fantastic rides yes and much better than you can get in the UK but it is not magical.

If you want to dip your toes into disney, Paris might be what you are looking for. If you want a holiday of a lifetime, go to Florida. Disney alone has 4 parks and 2 water parks - the water parks are really good.

Re the Florida weather, I have been at several times of the year and this July, only one visit to the water park was cut short but after we had been there for several hours anyway. July is generally the worst time to go anyway - October is generally thought to be best. But if we are generally comparing weather in both places, Florida surely wins hands down!

MelanieCheeks · 29/07/2013 07:52

I've been to both. Florida beats DLP hands down, but would be better when they're older.

Trip Advisor has a whole DLP forum which I found invaluable when planning our last trip.

ektorp · 29/07/2013 07:56

I haven't been to Euro Disney...If you are going for the big trip, I wouldn't waste my time with Euro Disney. I haven't been but I'm very sceptical that Euro Disney can offer what is on offer at Florida. See what I mean? Nice to hear that I 'wasted my time' on our amazing DLP trip.

When you've been to Florida, you don't feel the need to go to Disneyland Paris. Can't see how it could possibly compare. I've BEEN to Florida, and would go to DLP again in a heartbeat.

Florida is a proper holiday. FFS.

Happypiglet · 29/07/2013 08:09

Not been to Paris. But on the age thing we went when our youngest was just five to Florida. She was not too young and there is loads to do for younger kids anyway.
The height restrictions in Disney are quite low which surprised me. She couldn't do about one ride in each park but wouldn't have wanted to anyway!
I actually think it's probably best to do disney when they are small as its so magical and the characters amaze them. We spent a lot of time doing character meets.
I think where you go will also depend on what time of year you plan to go. We went Oct half term and I had read all the 'queue tricks' on all the websites but it was so quiet we didn't need most of them...for instance there was no need to get there before rope drop...the heat is lower too. But not sure I would fancy Paris in Oct weather wise.
And all my DC loved all the parks including Epcot... It's not really that grown up!!

Happypiglet · 29/07/2013 08:11

Ps we stayed on site... It made it very relaxing and I would agree that if you just want Disney it's very easy. Free dining plan ( which is on offer for 2014) saves a fortune...
it s very tiring for small kids. So being able to just bus back to hotel and collapse was very useful!

ektorp · 29/07/2013 08:13

I actually think it's probably best to do disney when they are small as its so magical and the characters amaze them. We spent a lot of time doing character meets. They amaze them in Paris, too. DD filled her Autograph book with character signatures and photos.

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